101 Ways To Tame The Emperor

Chapter 29: Drawn

CATHERINE PEIRIS surprised me. Just when I thought I have met all kinds of people from different walks of life, she came. She was a bombshell. She stood up for the Emperor she had not even met and believed in equality with all her heart. I’m sure she had heard several nasty rumors about me but her sense of justice never fails to amaze me. She refused to condemn others because she had a first-hand experience of how awful it felt to be condemned.

If all the people in the world would be like her, there would be no wars, no bloodshed. Just peace and equality.

Catherine’s thoughts, actions, and words were the only ones I could not predict. But I could tell at first glance that she could never be my enemy. Maybe it was because of what Mrs. Rembrant said.

There was a certain light in Catherine’s soul that was reflected in her eyes. She does not give a damn whoever she faces with. She seemed to be a woman who would stand tall for what she believes in and would never trade her principles and beliefs in order to gain allies even if she knew she needed them. Her life would have become so much better with their help. But she would rather stand alone than stand together with people she does not like.

And that itself was admirable.

That’s why it was still a mystery to me as to why Catherine suffered so much in the House of Peiris because I could not find anything that was unpleasant about her. In fact, it was so easy to be drawn to her light and to like her. She does not even need to exert an effort to be liked. All she had to do was be herself and people would flock to her side because people are naturally addicted to anything that was different.

The citizens of Morven had grown cold over the past decades. They had sold their souls to the devils to accomplish their goals and to become who they are now and yet, they still crave for more. And Catherine’s warmth attracts them the way it did to me. Just when I thought my heart had been frozen because of the wars I’ve been through, she kissed me and proved me wrong.

She was the only woman I know who could still look strong even when she was crying or trembling like this. She was that special.

“Do you know that it was my dream to receive something from my parents? I would have appreciated even a crumpled piece of paper from them. I would have treasured it so much. They did not give me any, though.”

That was the simplest wish I have ever heard in my life, too, one which does not even require tears, blood, sweat, or money. And yet, Catherine was denied of it. It was making me angry.

“You did not receive that crumpled piece of paper not because you did not deserve it. But because you deserve more, Catherine. You are too precious to receive something as little and as simple as that.”

But now, I bet there would be so many men who would offer her more than love letters. I have seen how her Escorts looked at her. Back at the bridge, they looked so tormented as if they were the ones suffering instead of their lady because she even managed to smile a while ago as if she did not get through another life-threatening situation. They all dived to rescue her but since the water was freezing, they failed to find her quickly. But maybe Catherine’s determination to save the boy was the key. Her guts should never be underestimated. It surpassed the coldness because she was able to reach him in no time.

Whoever said she could not swim? Damn, she could pass as a pro. If not for the weather, she could have made it so well. The passersby also stared at Catherine with new-found admiration as she gazed affectionately at the teenage boy.

When she got out of the water, she looked nothing like a drenched, helpless woman in need of an immediate attention. In fact, she looked like a water nymph. Her dress hugged her skin which emphasized her lovely curves all the more that the moment her Escorts recovered from shock, they all blushed as they looked at her direction. I could swear I saw their eyes turning into hearts a while ago.

Even Catherine’s way of preaching was very “her.” It was full of life and conviction. And how she referred to the boy’s ex-girlfriend was pretty savage, too. The boy was right. She did not sound like the usual adult instead, she sounded like a sister worrying about her little brother which I think was what the teenage boy needed the most.

Aside from that, there were those people still searching for her, especially Count Bradford. And of course, who could forget about her fan boys? If Catherine wanted to, she could have everything offered at her feet. But she seemed not to be the type to accept those things because what she desired was a family, a place she could call hers, a place where she could belong. It was so simple but it meant a lot. I’ve seen that while we were talking in the carriage. I saw the agony and longing in her eyes when I asked her about where she would go next after a year of being with the Emperor. She tried to hide that but it was too late.

Love. I know so little about it. I still don’t know what it feels like. But I do know what home feels like. And I could give it to her… if she would have me.

I kissed her hair. I wanted to do that since this morning. It was as fragrant as I remember. It smelled both of honey and jasmine. She smiled in her sleep. God, she was really beautiful. I think I’m becoming more and more obsessed with her smile. I want to keep seeing it.

I never lay beside a woman after s*x. Today was my first time and there was not even a s*x involved. But being with Catherine like this felt great, too.

(Sabina)

“I FEEL warm now. And it’s because of you. Thank you.” I whispered while watching Malik sleep. It was the second time that I slept beside him and did not wake up panting because of the nightmares about my past, about how I died in my world, and how painful those bullets were.

Aside from Polo, I have never met anyone that I feel truly comfortable with. My heart was still racing now but my body did not abhor the idea of having someone this close to me. It was like my body was the first to be familiar with Malik.

In the past, whenever my ex-boyfriends would try to embrace me, I felt like being shackled. It was hard for me to breathe. But with Malik, I could breathe just fine. His embrace was not too tight but not too loose either. And I feel protected and warm inside being trapped in his arms like this.

But my mind was against this. This is improper. I was not supposed to be doing any of this. Us being together was a sin against the Emperor, the King of all Kings.

Where are Matilde and Jeanne anyway? Weren’t they supposed to be with me at a time like this? Malik must have been forced to take care of me since they were not around. I must go, look for them now. But before that, I have to find the kitchen first. My stomach was grumbling like crazy. If I stay here, I’m afraid that Malik might wake up from it.

With a heavy heart, I carefully released myself from his embrace and got up. I was supposed to leave the bed when Malik stirred from his sleep. He opened his eyes and reached for my hand.

“Napakagwapo talaga.” I blurted out thoughtlessly.

His forehead creased. “What did you say? What kind of language was that? I have never heard it before.”

Suddenly, I felt like shrinking. Why did I even say that? In my native language, that was a praise indicating how good-looking Malik was. I glanced away and cleared my throat.

“Oh, that. I just heard that when I went to the Capital. I also don’t know what kind of language was that. But the guy whom I heard it from said that it means, ‘I’m hungry’. There are quite a few terms he taught me and I don’t know why but it just keeps playing on my mind so ever since then, I use it unconsciously.”

“So, you mean to say you met a guy and could not stop thinking about him? Is that it? Is that why you rejected me last night? What’s his name?”